An Albion fan who was stabbed in the leg outside a bar in Rome says he is “in good spirits” after being discharged from hospital.

The fan was taken to hospital after being stabbed in the leg around midnight in the centre of the Italian capital.

It comes after he and his friends were attacked and robbed ahead of Brighton’s Europa League tie against AS Roma.

Speaking to The Argus, he said: “It’s all good, I’m in good spirits despite the pain.”

He was still planning to see the match once he had a crutch.

A group of six men dressed in all black and wearing balaclavas descended on the group of Albion fans as they were leaving a bar in Rome.

The group were robbed and assaulted while two of the football fans were stabbed in the legs.

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Local media reports said staff from nearby restaurants raised the alarm after witnessing the incident in the Cavour neighbourhood of Rome.

According to Italian news agency Agenzia Nova, the fans were "stabbed and robbed" in Via Cavour, Rome, a short walk from the Colosseum and central railway station.

Joe Thorpe, who was also part of the group, said: “We were just walking up the street having just left the pub, we weren’t chanting or anything.

“All of a sudden these six people jumped us from behind. A couple of my mates ran away but I got jumped and beaten up.

"They were kicking me everywhere, in the head and the ribs.

“Two of my mates got slashed.

“I’ve never had an experience like that. We go to every single game home and away and I’ve never experienced that, even in Marseille [where Albion played earlier this season].”

Albion are due to play AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in the Europa League Round of 16 later today.

Fans in Rome are being urged to take the official shuttle buses to get to and from the stadium.

Italian police advise it is better to avoid flags and club colours in the city.

A Sussex Police spokesman said dedicated football officer Darren Balkham was in Rome to work alongside Italian police and European partner agencies.

PC Balkham said: "We are aware of the incident reported in Italian media last night."

"Have spoken to both Brighton fans who are ok. We reiterate the advice of the club published on the pre match info."